just how big is mental illness in america? well, i hope that you are sitting down because these numbers are simply astounding. according to the national institute of mental health department, 20% of this country, 20% of us, at one time or another, that's some 60 million people, 60 million americans experience a mental health disorder in any given year, but of those, some 16 million do receive, 16 # -- 16 million people, do receive some form of help. despite the often desperate need of care, it's twice as difficult to find a mental health professional to find help than a doctor or dentist, and mental health care is extraordinarily expensive. twentity five years ago, think about this, 25 years ago, we were spending just over $2 billion on mental health medication. it is now more than ten times that amount. $30 billion in pharmaceuticals. nearly 50% of those untreated now blame costs as a barrier to treatment. another barrier? the attitudes and the societal stigma on mental health. 66% of them say they chose not to have treatment